Systems, devices, and methods for establishing and/or maintaining synchronization between entities in an analyte monitoring environment

Abstract

Embodiments for synchronous communication between devices in an analyte monitoring system are disclosed. The devices can be in on body device having an analyte sensor and a reader device. The devices can communicate with each other over one or more wireless links. Systems, devices, and methods for establishing synchronization, maintaining synchronization, and reestablishing synchronization are disclosed.

1 . A method of communication in an analyte monitoring system comprising an on body device and a reader device, the method comprising:
 receiving, at the reader device, a timing calibration value from the on body device;   determining, by the reader device, a start time for a receiving period based upon the timing calibration value of the on body device; and   receiving a transmission from the on body device during the receiving period.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the on body device and the reader device are adapted to communicate synchronously at communication intervals, wherein the length of each communication interval as determined within the system is constant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising determining, by the reader device, a start time for a plurality of receiving periods based upon the timing calibration value from the on body device, wherein each receiving period occurs after a communication interval. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the receiving period is a length of time less than a communication interval where the reader device uses power to monitor for the transmission from the on body device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the reader device does not use power to monitor for the transmission from the on body device at times outside of the receiving period. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the timing calibration value comprises a clock frequency, a clock frequency offset, or a length of time. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the timing calibration value comprises a length of a communication interval. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the timing calibration value comprises an offset to a target timing value. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the timing calibration value comprises temperature information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the on body device comprises an analyte sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the on body device comprises an analyte sensor positioned in the body of a user. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reader device comprises first communication circuitry configured to communicate with inductive coupling, and second communication circuitry. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the timing calibration value is received by the reader device using the first communication circuitry, and wherein the transmission from the on body device is received using the second communication circuitry. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second communication circuitry is configured to communicate within an ultra-high frequency (UHF) band. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first communication circuitry is configured to communicate according to a Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission from the on body device is received within an ultra-high frequency (UHF) band. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing a synchronization event that synchronizes the on body device and the reader device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reader device uses receipt of the timing calibration value from the on body device as a synchronization event. 
     
     
         19 . A reader device for use in an analyte monitoring system, the reader device comprising:
 wireless communication circuitry;   processing circuitry communicatively coupled with the wireless communication circuitry; and   a non-transitory memory on which is stored a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to:
 read a timing calibration value received from an on body device; 
 determine a start time for a receiving period based upon the timing calibration value of the on body device; and 
 enable the wireless communication circuitry to receive a transmission from the on body device during the receiving period. 
   
     
     
         20 . The reader device of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to cause communication with the on body device synchronously at communication intervals, wherein the length of each communication interval is constant. 
     
     
         21 - 155 . (canceled)